15 of the best jokes and one-liners ever told at the Edinburgh Fringe

For the last decade or so, TV channel U&Dave has taken it upon itself to crown the ‘best joke’ of the Edinburgh Fringe each year. It proved quite a challenge, given that the arts festival welcomes hundreds of shows and hopeful comics to the city. Its annual competition, the Funniest Joke of the Fringe, named a winner from a competition shortlist drawn up by a panel of comedy critics, before members of the public are asked to pick their three favourite jokes.

However, this year U&Dave said the Joke of the Fringe award is ‘resting’ and wouldn’t be happening. Thankfully, production company Need to Know Comedy announced it would revive its (Some Guy Called) Dave Award, which was initially a pandemic-era substitute for Joke of the Fringe where comics were invited to self-submit up to five gags from their show via email for consideration for the £250 prize. 

This year’s winner has been announced as Northern Irish comedian Andy Gleeks, whose show Fragments has been performing at the Fringe. Last year, Mark Simmons, who first got into comedy more than a decade ago, took home the award with his snappy one-liner about a ship, taken from his PHB’s Free Fringe show at the Liquid Room Annexe. In 2023, Lorna Rose Treen took home the prize with her gag about an unfaithful zookeeper, which was ranked one of the best by 44 percent of those surveyed.

It turns out ‘the best joke’ audiences basically like zingers, one-liners and snappy puns: there’s rarely overlap between the Joke of the Fringe and the winners of the main comedy awards. Which makes sense: Joke of the Fringe is voted for by people at home, not people seeing entire shows. And it’s all to the good, an opportunity for acts who might not get the attention otherwise to step into the spotlight. 

Keen to hear the previous winning jokes? Check them out below.

RECOMMENDED:
Your ultimate guide to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025
The best comedy shows at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025
The best theatre shows at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025

The best jokes and one-liners ever told at the Edinburgh Fringe

2025 - Andy Gleeks 

‘I had to visit the trauma unit last weekend. He prefers the term Dad.’

2024 – Mark Simmons

‘I was going to sail around the globe in the world’s smallest ship, but I bottled it.’

2023 – Lorna Rose Treen

‘I started dating a zookeeper, but it turned out he was a cheetah.’

2022 – Masai Graham

‘I tried to steal spaghetti from the shop, but the female guard saw me and I couldn’t get pasta.’

2019 – Olaf Falafel

‘I keep randomly shouting out “Broccoli” and “Cauliflower” – I think I might have Florets.’

2018 – Adam Rowe

‘Working at the job centre has to be a tense job: knowing that if you get fired, you still have to come in the next day.’

2017 – Ken Cheng

‘I’m not a fan of the new pound coin, but then again, I hate all change.’

2016 – Masai Graham

‘My dad has suggested that I register for a donor card. He’s a man after my own heart.’

2015 – Tommy Tiernan

‘Two flies are playing football in a saucer. One says to the other: “Make an effort, we’re playing in the cup tomorrow.”’

2014 – Tim Vine

‘I’ve decided to sell my Hoover… well, it was just collecting dust.’

2013 – Rob Auton

‘I heard a rumour that Cadbury is bringing out an oriental chocolate bar. Could be a Chinese Wispa.’

2012 – Stewart Francis

‘You know who really gives kids a bad name? Posh and Becks.’

2011 – Nick Helm

‘I needed a password eight characters long so I picked Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.’

2010 – Tim Vine

‘I've just been on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. I’ll tell you what, never again.’

2009 – Dan Antopolski

‘Hedgehogs – why can’t they just share the hedge?’